“My mother told me not to talk to strange men.”

“Very wise she was, too.” Charlie extended his hand. “I’m Charlie Jordan. I noticed from your name tag on the table upstairs that you’re Pyper Bailey. I don’t think we’re strangers anymore.”

She held his gaze for a beat. “Okay. Until the rain stops.”

This time, he led the way. As she followed, she took note of the broad shoulders and fantasized what it would be like to see them in the flesh, in detail and tantalizingly close to hers.

“What would you like to drink?” he asked, pausing by a vacant booth. “Another wine?”

That was a moot point. She hadn’t drunk either of the glasses of wine she’d been handed in the venue upstairs. The first had been spilled and she’d shelved the second. “I’ll have bourbon on ice, thanks.”

“A woman after my own heart.” He headed to the bar, returning shortly after with their drinks. “So,” he said, after they were seated and settled, “what brought you to this evening’s function?”

“Just the usual. It was a networking event, so that’s what I was there to do. There were a couple of people I hoped to meet. It’s a key part of business these days. What about you?”

“I needed to speak to Paul. Otherwise, it had no interest for me. Business comes to me now. I don’t need to subject myself to networking events.”

Bully for you. His arrogance rankled. He was very sure of himself. Pyper swirled her drink around in her glass, causing the ice to collide and melt, giving her some thinking time. When she looked up, he regarded her with a bemused look, as though he could read her mind. It wasn’t so much a conscious thought as a resolve. Business might come to you, but I don’t. This is one night when you’re going to come to me. If there was one thing she enjoyed, it was a challenge.

The events of the day featured briefly in her reflections. She’d taken the first step towards having a child, and if successful, her life would be very different from here on. No more casual flings; no more of lots of things. Why not have one for the road?

She sat back in her chair and crossed her legs, meeting his gaze with a challenge of her own. She stole a quick glance at his left hand. No ring. Not that it meant anything, but he didn’t have the aura of a married man. That would have made him off-limits.

“So, tell me about yourself,” she purred. “What’s your line of business?”

“Construction. Major developments. Infrastructure projects mostly. I’m a gun for hire. I go wherever the next project is happening that needs someone with my experience to make it happen.”

Hmm—I like a man with confidence. This one has it in spades. “Sounds important. What sort of projects would they be?”

“It varies. Airport development, stadiums, major commercial developments. Projects of that scale. I’ve just finished managing a project in Malaysia, so I’m in between jobs at the moment.”

“Does that worry you?”

“Not in the slightest. I’ve earned a break. There are a few irons in the fire, so the next job will happen soon. I’d like it to be back in Australia, though. I have a few ties here.”

 I wonder what they might be, rather who they might be? Pyper waited a moment, but he didn’t elaborate. “How do you plan to fill your time while waiting for the next contract?”

Pyper uncrossed and then re-crossed her legs, swapping the uppermost. Taking a sip of her drink, she moistened her lips. She noticed his eyes stray to her legs. So far, so good.

“I’m looking for an apartment to buy in the city. It’s time I had a home base here. I’m sick of living in hotels, although I’m staying in The Windsor at the moment. Not that it’s any hardship. It’s a very comfortable hotel, and I love the location.”

Pyper was suitably impressed. She uncrossed her legs and sat up in her chair. The Windsor was a historic establishment oozing class and panache. Comfortable would be an understatement. If this man could afford to stay there, he had some serious mojo going on in his life. For a moment, she wondered if she was out of her league, before chiding herself. He’s just a man, Pyper, albeit a very successful man.

“Staying at The Windsor is on my bucket list,” she said. “At the very least, I want to have afternoon tea there one day.” Even that would put a serious dent on her credit card. She looked towards the window. Rain still pelted down, obscuring the view outside. Night had set in while they talked. Streetlights appeared as shimmering halos as water coursed down the windowpane.

Charlie followed her glance. “It looks miserable out there.” He looked back to her. “Have you eaten yet? Would you like to join me for dinner? There’s a dining room here so we don’t have to brave the weather.”

Pyper considered her blouse and the damp stains. She would have to leave the jacket done up, but with the central heating in the bar, she was feeling rather warm. She really wanted to undo her jacket, and she’d noticed additional stains on the front of her skirt after sitting down.

“I’m not sure my clothing, given its stained condition, is fit to be seen in the restaurant. Thanks for the invitation, but when the rain eases, I’ll hail a cab and take myself home.”

He cocked his head, looking at her for a moment with a speculative gleam to his eye. “If you’re thinking of getting a cab, we can get one together.”

Her eyebrows rose in silent question.

“You said The Windsor was on your bucket list,” he said by way of explanation. “We can get a cab back there.”

“You’re joking. That would be even worse. If I can’t dine here looking like this, I certainly can’t dine in the restaurant at The Windsor.”

“If we order room service, you can. I have a two-room suite, so it’s all above board. The door to the bedroom would be closed,” he added, as though anticipating the direction of her thoughts.

Her mind raced. She would love to see the hotel from the inside, but … and here the “but” surprised her given her earlier thoughts, dining in his suite did presuppose the evening might progress in a different direction, and did she really want that? She’d thought to tease and entice, but not necessarily to take things further.

She looked at the man seated opposite. Those smoky blues regarded her in turn with a hint of bemusement. What the hell. It could be her last opportunity to get so close to a man as sexy as this one. No harm in making the most of an unexpected situation.